After a week full of rumors surrounding Terry Porter’s job security, the Phoenix Suns apparently have put an end to it.

According to a report in The Arizona Republic on Sunday, the Suns have decided to fire Porter and replace the first-year head coach with assistant Alvin Gentry.

The move brings a damper over what was supposed to be a celebratory weekend for the Suns and the NBA as a whole, as Phoenix is hosting the All-Star Game and has two players representing the Western Conference.

However, the team’s immediate future took greater precedence, as the Suns have stumbled to a disappointing 28-23 record this season.

The reported firing occurred one day after the Suns canceled Monday’s practice, further fueling speculation that Porter was on his way out.

"However, the team’s immediate future took greater precedence, as the Suns have stumbled to a disappointing 28-23 record this season."

I love that part. How pleased would Raptor fans be with that record? Steve Kerr is the architect of the Suns inconsistency. He let D'Antoni walk and hired Porter. Not to mention the Shaq trade. It should have been his head to roll.

They were a run and gun team that was getting older and then added Shaq to not only get older, but older and slower. The problem wasn't so much Porter and his focus on D (because if they were going to win in the playoffs, they needed to work on their D), I think it was more just age and some bad trades. I think not having Raja Bell around is something that is overlooked too.

Raja was their glue during the run-and-gun years. When they traded him, it was the official end of that direction and the beginning of a new Suns core. Sad to see because I think they gave up too quickly.

Their run and gun years that everyone loved did not get them a title.. or even a finals appearance.

The problem isnt offence, it's Nash's defence, maybe one of the worst defensive PG's in the league. For shaq's sake tho i hope they get the 8 seed and have shaq can do some damage to the bynum-less lakes. Gasol cant gaurd shaq and amare.. I dont think.